Her name is Louise Hancock.
Many in the community may recognize her friendly face. Seated in a wheelchair, she’s the same faithful lady who greets customers at Walmart. Now, she’s a published author and will soon celebrate her new book, Just As I Am, with a meet-and-greet here in town.
Hancock says she was diagnosed with polio at age 3 and has spent her entire life bound to a wheelchair. The inspiration to write a book about her disability came about a year ago. She paired up with a woman by the name of Deborah Bennett, who wrote the biographical work outlining Hancock’s life.
“We had been talking about the book for about a year, and we finally got it published about a month ago,” she explained. “I had a hard life, and I wanted to put my story into words to give people hope, to tell them to keep going.”
At its core, Just As I Am tells of Hancock’s life. Born into extreme poverty during the Great Depression and stricken with polio early in life, she has endured extreme hardships, discrimination, and self-doubt. Hancock eventually came to realize that with the Lord’s help, she could endure life’s struggles and come through them with a better understanding of herself and her creator.
Bennett says she met Hancock “by divine appointment” and has been “blessed” to have had a part in helping her share her testimony.
Lavonna Johnson designed the cover art in memory of her late daughter, Michelle Daley. Hancock describes in the book the close friendship she shared with Daley, as well as her young daughter, Addison.
The plan for proceeds is to donate book sales to Beacon of Hope Church of God in Swainsboro, pastored by Hancock’s grandson. The church is in need of Sunday school rooms.
Today, Just As I Am is available for purchase online at LuLu.com. The cost is $15 per paperback edition.
Additionally, Hancock will be on hand at Walmart this Saturday, January 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet supporters of her first original work and autograph it. She will have copies of the book with her that day for purchase as well.